Last Thursday ABC News sent journalist Dan Harris to my home to interview me about everything from the movie The Secret to the Law of Attraction to James Ray to the entire self-help movement. Along the way we took a ride in my Rolls-Royce Phantom and talked about masterminding, attracting money now, and more. It was quite “the day.”

This was ABC News’ second visit. They were here in January to film the entire Rolls-Royce Phantom Mastermind with fitness celebrity Jennifer Nicole Lee.

Being filmed in a Rolls-Royce with a gorgeous fitness model at your side is a lot different than being interviewed by a sharp mainstream TV news reporter. TV journalists can be pushy and confrontational, and you never know what they’ll ask, all while a video camera is recording your every word and expression. These interviews are often called “firing lines” for a good reason.

Dan Harris is an exception. Oh, he asked the tough questions and he kept firing questions at me, but I could see he’s a caring man with a sincere curiosity about life and people. And I had of course Googled him before he arrived and knew he is passionate about indy music as well as journalism. I saw that he is an exceptional man with an amazing ability to ask questions under pressure. I liked him. Still do.

abcNews_Dan

Still, most of his questions came from a basic belief that money is bad. “You actually charge $5,000 for your Rolls-Royce Mastermind?” Yes, and I’ll be raising the price in March. “You sleep at night selling self-help books?” Of course. I’m helping people and offering solutions to their woes. “You help people to attract millions of dollars?” Actually, I help them to attract money now. “You’re OK marketing all the time?” I’m not marketing, I’m offering.

And so it went. It occurred to me later that I should have asked if ABC News charged their advertisers, and if they slept well knowing they were selling questionable drugs (with side effects such as possible death), etc. I also wondered if the interviewer got paid for sitting around and asking me questions. And doesn’t ABC News promote/market their upcoming TV shows all day long?

It’s so easy to be a critic.

The interview was from a Stage One perspective, as explained in The Awakening Course. It was all about “Who’s the victim?” and “Who’s to blame?” The other three stages of awakening, and certainly Zero Limits, could never be understood on this first level, where the interview took place.

The ABC News TV show will air in May, if not sooner. It’ll be an hour long special on positive thinking. They’ll have people against it (believe it or not) and they’ll have people for it (like me). They’re also interviewing Rev. Michael Beckwidth and Bob Proctor. On the nay side, they’ll talk with Bright-Sided author Barbara Ehremreich and Sham! author Steve Salerno.

You and I will have to wait to see how ABC edits the show. Meanwhile, I wanted to mention a brief moment Dan Harris and I had after the interview in my office.

Since Dan is deep into music (he’s also a drummer), I told him about my Alien Guitar. He asked to see some of the videos Nerissa and I created where I reveal the alien guitar to the person on camera but not to the camera/viewer. He laughed as he watched one of the clips. I offered to show the alien guitar to him while we filmed the moment but he said it might look like he was promoting it.

I then told him that my master strategy was to get a buzz going and then go on David Letterman to show and play the Alien Guitar. I told him I wanted to wait and get people really talking first.

“I wouldn’t wait,” Dan said. “I’d contact Letterman right now.”

“You would?”

“Sure. His show needs so much content that they’ll latch onto this right away.”

I paused as I considered his advice. Then something dawned on me.

I looked at Dan and said, “You know what you just did with me?”

Dan looked at me and asked, “Encourage you?”

“Yep. That’s what we do in the self-help movement.”

Dan nodded, letting it seep in.

“We listen for the latent desire already in a person and then encourage them to take action to make it real,” I explained. “Just like you did with me.”

I wish that moment had been filmed. It demonstrated what self-help and coaching is really all about.

Again, we won’t know what the entire ABC News show will be like until they edit it and air it in May. (Nerissa filmed the entire interview on her flip cam, so we can match their editing with what was actually recorded.) I think the show will be great. After all, I’m thinking positive.

As for now, I’m grateful to have met Dan Harris and attracted ABC News here. It could mean an appearance on David Letterman, with my alien guitar, will happen soon.

Ao Akua,

Joe

PS — Learn all about self-help, Law of Attraction, The Secret and much more in my Miracles Coaching program. Just click right here.

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12 Comments

  1. February 7, 2010 at 3:29 pm

    Hi Joe,

    I’m intrigued to hear how ABC will actually present your interview. By coincidence I was listening to Dr Glenn Livingston interview Perry Marshall today on the subject of direct marketing.

    The discussion centred on psychotherapists but could easily be applied to an expert in ant field. Perry Marshall said and I’m sure you’ll agree with this:

    “You should never let being good at what you do cloud your understanding of how important it is to communicate and persuade people about what you do. Being good at what you do is not enough.

    “Being the greatest psychotherapist in the world is not enough. A competent psychotherapist who is a good marketer can affect more positive change in the world than a superb psychotherapist who is a lousy marketer.”
    Perry Marshall

    Best wishes

    Nickolove

    P.S. I eagerly await the ‘unveiling’ of your alien guitar.

    • December 14, 2011 at 1:34 pm

      A little rtaoinality lifts the quality of the debate here. Thanks for contributing!

  2. February 7, 2010 at 4:21 pm

    Congratulations on the interview Joe, I wish you the best of luck with it. It is interesting how this subject is treated with such scepticism while other areas (like miracle drugs in medicine) are accepted quickly and easily into the mainstream consumer market. I bought a used copy of the book online today that you wrote for the American Marketing Association. I’m sure it will be a great reference for my marketing strategy. I am thankful that you share your resources with the world and was delighted to hear about your work with the Red Cross. Thank you and see you on FaceBook!
    Bill (http://www.facebook.com/practicalmanifestions)

  3. February 7, 2010 at 6:55 pm

    Now that will be interesting…. comparing the aired interview with the raw film that Nerissa captured. Any chance you’ll be able to post the interview in either form, after its aired?

    • February 8, 2010 at 8:59 am

      Oh yes. It’ll be on YouTube and my video blog.
      joe

  4. February 8, 2010 at 7:02 am

    Dr. Vitale, congratulations on your interview with Dan Harris and ABC. I look forward to watching it in May. I hope you do contact Letterman: I watch him every night. I can attest to the positive about your books: they have been extremely helpful.

    Your friend,
    Ernest O’Dell
    Guerrilla Internet Marketing

  5. February 8, 2010 at 8:47 am

    Dear Dr. Joe,

    Thank you for the Article on ABC News!

    I’m sure that you are going to come out of this ABC Interview as a shining example of this Important & Growing Field of Self Awareness!

    For the record, you are an INSPIRATION to so many people and I will always be a FAN of your words…

    I also wanted you to know that I am getting ready to release my first book, “A Lifestyle Worth Living…” which you have unknowingly motivated and helped me to accomplish in both marketing and spiritual aspects. I’m excited and proud to be a part of this movement.

    Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

    Sincerely,
    C.A. Human

  6. Elise-Reply
    February 8, 2010 at 9:09 am

    Dr. Joe,

    How exciting! Are you going to have a viewing party in the cigar bar? I think it would be a great idea to share your breakthrough moment with your fans.

    Peace!
    Elise

  7. mohammad-Reply
    February 9, 2010 at 3:02 pm

    Hello Mr Vitale
    i`m iranian.i read every night.i belive the secret.but i can`t attract my big wishes.for exemple a good job or good mark….Help me

  8. February 14, 2010 at 11:27 am

    Wonderful… and thank you for your Valentines mail I love you too
    Really, thank you for reminding that we just can say it more often to each other.
    A WONDERFUL THOUGHT i WILL DO IT MORE OFTEN NOW
    saying I l love you when I mean it…..
    And I cheer you all the way to Oprah …
    Love and all good things,
    Ferry Verhoeve
    Your dutch friend

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